Photonic Crystal Optical Tweezers for Live Biological Samples

Abstract

Optical Tweezers is a valuable and versatile tool in the non-invasive manipulation of micro- and nano-sized particles for biology studies and nanotechnologies. In this dissertation, we propose and demonstrate a two-dimensional photonic crystal enhanced optical tweezers for particles and biological cells with higher trapping efficiency and less photodamage or heat generation. The capabilities of this enhanced optical tweezers include trapping, transporting and patterning latex beads and cells. The trapping efficiency is significantly improved based on the higher gradient of laser intensity distribution. This technology relaxes the requirement on input optical power without additional heat generation, which extends the viability of living cells in the trap. Moreover, we developed a flexible platform using parylene-C integrated with photonic crystal enhanced optical tweezers. This system is utilized for colonizing patterned cells with optimized oxygen plasma treated parylene-C film, as well as measuring the cellular repulsive force between a pair of single cells.